ISLAMABAD: The Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, praised a female Pakistani police officer for her timely intervention that saved a woman surrounded by an enraged blasphemy mob in the eastern city of Lahore, extending a royal invitation to her for a visit to the kingdom.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shehrbano Naqvi received widespread acclaim from politicians, officials and the general public after a social media video showed her rescuing a woman wearing a dress with Arabic inscriptions, which some people mistook for verses from the Holy Qur’an.
Naqvi, who safely extracted the woman from the crowd, later clarified that the dress bore no sacred inscriptions, featuring only the Arabic word “halwa.”
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency, during a meeting at the embassy, the Saudi envoy commended Naqvi’s selfless devotion that defused the volatile situation.
He also extended an invitation to her to visit the kingdom.
“The Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan praised the bravery of the police officer and assured her that the Saudi government would cover the expenses of her and her family’s trip to Saudi Arabia as honored guests,” reported the APP.
Independent Urdu, quoting an embassy spokesperson, revealed that Naqvi, along with her family, would be visiting Riyadh as royal guests before performing Hajj.
Prior to her meeting with the Saudi diplomat, Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir also invited Naqvi to his office to commend her dedication.
In the past, blasphemy charges have triggered mob lynchings in the country, with politicians assassinated, lawyers murdered and students killed over unverified accusations.
Saudi ambassador honors Pakistani policewoman for heroic rescue, offers royal invitation to kingdom
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Saudi ambassador honors Pakistani policewoman for heroic rescue, offers royal invitation to kingdom
- ASP Shehrbano Naqvi safely extracted a woman from an enraged blasphemy mob in Lahore last month
- She received widespread acclaim from the general public and was also praised by Pakistan’s army chief
Afghan trade resilient in 2025 as Iran, Central Asia routes offset Pakistan closures
- Tensions with Islamabad this year disrupted established transit corridors that connected Afghanistan to seaports for decades
- Afghan traders moved cargo through Iran’s Chabahar port , expanded overland shipments via Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan
KABUL: Afghanistan’s trade remained resilient in 2025 despite repeated closures of key border crossings with Pakistan, commerce ministry data showed, as exporters and importers increasingly relied on alternative routes through Iran and Central Asia.
The stability came even as tensions with Islamabad disrupted established transit corridors that have been landlocked Afghanistan’s main gateway to seaports for decades.
Traders instead moved cargo through Iran’s Chabahar port and expanded their overland shipments via Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, cushioning the impact of delays and political uncertainty.
Total trade — the value of exports and imports combined — rose from the previous year to nearly $13.9 billion in 2025, according to the commerce ministry. Exports stood at roughly $1.8 billion, broadly steady year on year, while imports increased to just over $12.1 billion.
India, Pakistan and several Central Asian states remained among Afghanistan’s largest export destinations with shipments dominated by dried fruit, coal, carpets, saffron and agricultural produce.
Imports continued to be led by fuel, machinery, food staples and industrial inputs, mainly from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, China and regional neighbors. Afghanistan is accelerating efforts to reduce its reliance on Pakistan in the wake of border closures linked to security disputes.
While Pakistan remains its fastest route to the sea, Afghan officials say diversifying its trade corridors has enabled commerce to continue even while relations with its eastern neighbor remain strained.
